Seminary Course Descriptions
Exegetical Theology | Doctrinal Theology
Historical Theology | Practical Theology
Exegetical Theology
Orientation: Introduction to Old Testament Exegesis (Jr. Orientation Course)
Selections from the book of Proverbs are employed to exercise the application of exegetical principles (1).
Biblical Hermeneutics
Beginning in Junior Orientation and extending to the end of the first semester, the principles and methods of biblical interpretation, as applied to both Testaments, are taught to first-year students (2).
Biblical Introduction (Isagogics)
Isagogics courses focus on the general background and overall content of the 66 books of the Bible and also include a study of their canonicity and textual integrity. Courses cycle over three years in the two areas of Old Testament Isagogics (6) and New Testament Isagogics (6).
Biblical Interpretation (Exegesis)
Interpretation of portions of Holy Scripture, including these course areas: Old Testament Exegesis, with selections from Genesis, Psalms, and Isaiah (18); New Testament Exegesis, including Romans, Ephesians, and Galatians (12).
Doctrinal Theology
Dogmatics
The systematic study of all Christian doctrines taught in Scripture is covered in a three-year cycle, using the class notes of J.P. Meyer as a guide (18).
Symbolics
The study of the confessional writings of the Lutheran Church is covered in four semesters (8).
The study of comparative religions (Comparative Symbolics) is covered in one semester (2).
Historical Theology
History of the Ancient Church
The history of Christianity from the birth of Christ through the Council of Nicea in AD 325(6).
History of the Middle Ages and the Reformation
Two semesters of study are devoted to the history of Christianity from the post-Nicene period through the Reformation and the publication of the Book of Concord in AD 1580 (6).
Modern Church History
The history of Christianity from the Counter Reformation to the present, including the developments in American Lutheranism leading to the formation of the CLC (6).
Practical Theology
Orientation: Introduction to Theological Studies (Jr. Orientation course) An introduction is given to the branches of theology and the various subjects taught, with suggested methods students can use to derive maximum benefit from these subjects (0.5).
Christian Education
Three second-semester courses are devoted to the principles and problems of conducting religious instruction in the pastoral ministry. While recognizing every opportunity to teach and apply the Word in the routine of pastoral work, special attention is given to confirmation instruction, both of young people and adults (6).
Homiletics
The principles and practice of preaching are formally studied in the junior and middler years (6).
All students, including seniors, participate in the student preaching class which meets once a week (6).
Liturgics
In a formal study of Christian worship and especially the pastor's role as worship leader, course material focuses on hymnody, psalmody, and the liturgy (4).
Missiology
A study of missions from the Old and New Testaments together with a history of mission philosophy and activity to the present time (2).
Evangelism
One semester is devoted to the study of mission perspectives from the Old and New Testaments, with attention given also to past and current mission philosophies and to methods of promoting evangelism in the congregation and synod (3).
Pastoral Theology
The principles of biblical pastoral practice applied to present-day conditions are studied in a two-year cycle of four semesters (8).
Pastoral Counseling
In addition to a study of Scriptures which apply in specific situations, focus is also given to the objectives, problems, and methods of pastoral counseling (2).
Pastoral Internship
In the setting of a CLC congregation, extended opportunity is given for the student to gain hands-on pastoral experience by observing the host pastor in doing tasks of ministry and by performing similar tasks under the pastor's supervision and evaluation.